Surgical Advanced Practice Fellowship

Overview

This is a unique one-year fellowship program that is dedicated to enhancing the development of early-career Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who wish to pursue a career in a pediatric surgical specialty. Fellows will be exposed to all facets of pediatric surgical care including rotations in pediatric surgical co-management team, critical care, pediatric surgery, urology, neurosurgery, ENT, orthopedic surgery and more.

As fully credentialed members of the Medical Staff, Fellows will care for pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado with mentorship and oversight from experienced Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and specialty physicians. As members of the University of Colorado faculty, Fellows in this program will also have unique access to educational and research opportunities.

Fully dedicated to caring for kids at all stages of growth, Children's Hospital Colorado is the region's largest pediatric healthcare network and the only dedicated Level 1 trauma center in our seven-state region. We are home to over 450 APPs across all disciplines and care settings.

Mission

Through personalized education and mentorship, equip Advanced Practice Providers with the specialized knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in a career in pediatric surgical specialty.

Ideal Candidates

This Fellowship is designed for APPs who have a strong desire to practice in an academic pediatric surgical setting. This program is designed for APPs who:

• Wishes to have additional pediatric surgical training, enabling a smooth and immediate transition into their surgical career.
• Would like to work in a pediatric surgical specialty, but has not identified a specific area.
• Would like to work in a specific specialty, but has insufficient experience or training within that specialty to be competitive for a position.

Application Process

See key dates below.

Applications must be submitted via CU Careers. Apply here.

*Note that we are unable to accommodate any visa requests*

Application Documents

• Brief Cover Letter
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a professional reference)
• One-page personal statement discussing why the applicant is interested in pediatric surgery and how this fellowship can advance their career

Key Dates

• Applications open: January 3, 2025
• Final Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
• Interviews: Early April
• Offers: Late April/early May
• Program Start: October 2025
  

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must complete National Board Certification by Professional Credentialing Body prior to starting the fellowship October 1, 2025.

Physician Assistant

• Graduation from an APAP (ARC-PA) approved Physician Assistant Training Program.
• Certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• Colorado license will be required prior to start date.
• BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

• Graduate of an accredited BSN program.
• APN licensure and a Master’s from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certificate or other comparable certification.
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification.
• Ability to obtain Prescriptive Authority in the State of Colorado.
• BLS and PALS certification will be required prior to start date.
  

Curriculum

Clinical Rotations

• Core: Surgical Co-Management (1 month), Pediatric Critical Care (1 month), Pediatric Surgery (2 months), Neurosurgery (2 month), Orthopedics (2 months), ENT (1 month), Urology (1 month)
• 2 Electives (1 month each)CT Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Plastic Surgery or repeat core rotation

Didactic

• Dedicated APP Fellowship Lecture Series
• Patient Simulations
• Grand rounds
• Clinical Conferences
• M&M
• Radiology conferences 

Competencies

• Monthly and Semi-Annual Performance Evaluations
• Clinical Skills Exams
  

Capstone Project

Each fellow will be required to complete a capstone project with the help of a physician or APP mentor. The goal of the project is to introduce and involve the APP in a quality or process improvement initiative, development of a clinical care guideline, or educational initiative. At the end of the year, the fellow will be asked to present his or her work in a conference or poster session.

Hours/Work Schedule

This is an intensive program in which Fellows can expect to commit an average of 50 hours per week including required night and weekend shifts. Vacations, holiday schedule and time off will be discussed with final candidates.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows will be hired as University of Colorado faculty at the Instructor Fellow rank. As Faculty, Fellows will be offered a stipend along with full medical, dental and vision insurance. Detailed information can be found at CU Faculty Benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Current Fellows

Maggie Spitzer is excited to be back in her home state and joining the team at CHCO. She attended Johns Hopkins University, where she played basketball and earned her undergraduate degree in Public Health in 2019. She recently graduated from the Emory Physician Assistant Program in Atlanta, GA.

Meet the Surgical APP Fellowship Leadership Team 

	Richele Koehler, PA-C, Assistant Professor, Surgery-Pediatric Surgery Co- Director, Surgical Advanced Practice Fellowship, Center for Children’s Surgery Richele has been apart of the Division of Pediatric Surgery for over 8 years and has been the Lead APP since 2018. She has worked to optimize the utilization and scope of APPs in Pediatric Surgery. She also has a passion for quality improvement and education.
	Brian Miller, PA-C, MPAS, Assistant Professor, Surgery-Urology Co- Director, Surgical Advanced Practice Fellowship, Center for Children’s Surgery Brian has been a provider with Pediatric Urology for the last 7 years and the Lead APP since 2018.  Brian also functions as the Lead APP for Gynecology and Plastic surgery.  Brian is actively involved with APP optimization throughout all surgical subspecialties at Children’s Hospital Colorado.  Brian is a champion for ensuring APP top of scope practice.
	Kelly Harris, MD, Assistant Professor, Urology Medical Director, Surgical Advanced Practice Fellowship, Center for Children’s Surgery Dr. Harris is a pediatric urologist and specializes in transitional urology, helping adolescents and young adults with congenital urologic issues.

Questions?

Contact us at surgappfellowship@childrenscolorado.org  Please allow 48-72 hours for a response.